Community Corner

Welcome to My Garden, Patch: Bull Valley Garden Walk's Natural Sanctuary

Fishing ponds, gardens, woodlands and meandering pathways provide natural sanctuary for birds and other wildlife at property featured in Bull Valley Garden walk on July 14, 2012.

 

Dennis and Shirley Ambroziak have something gardeners appreciate - plenty of property to plant upon. 

In the world of gardening, acreage equates to a blank canvas.

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And when the couple moved 10 years ago to their 12-acre home in Bull Valley, they basically started with just that.

"Ninety percent of what you see here today has been planted since we moved here," said Dennis, as he helped direct guests during the Bull Valley Garden Walk on Saturday, July 14.

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However, designing gardens and landscaping is not a hobby for the couple, it's just part of their everyday life.

"Well, this is our home," said Dennis. 

In the past decade the Ambroziaks enhanced the landscaping surrounding the three fishing ponds on the 12-acre property. The ponds provide a natural habitat for fish, birds, blue heron cranes, wildlife, pollinators and predators.

Newer trees and bushes, exuding various colors throughout the seasons, provide shelter and food for the wild inhabitants. In the backyard, a lounge chair sits on a pier overlooking one of the ponds. A scultpure of boy fishing perfectly compliments the scenery.

Mature trees, with an umbrella hung in between, form a private canopy. For the walk, the Ambroziaks fashioned a Mad Hatter's Tea Party at the patio table. 

Gardens separate two of the ponds. A beautiful copper beech arbor and stone path welcome guests to a meadow and vignette. 

On the other side of the home, a Zen garden inspired by the shrines, pagodas and Japanese gardens await. A pergola draped with honesuckle and trumpet vines flourish beyond the Zen garden.


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